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When Is A Good Time To Upgrade?

Posted by timothy on from the why-it's-nice-of-you-to-ask dept.

Andru Edwards writes "In an article which looks at the techie's mindset as it pertains to upgrading, Hector Martinez takes a deeper look at what makes us want to buy the latest gadgets. What are your options, and when should you actually just keep what you already have?"

29 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Always by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    On the old Slashdot, there wouldn't have been any other answer.

    1. Re:Always by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, always. Always just before the new version comes out.

  2. Obvious Answer: by zoobaby · · Score: 3, Funny

    I upgrade when I get the money.

    1. Re:Obvious Answer: by isometrick · · Score: 5, Funny

      So ... when your mom gives you your allowance? ;)

    2. Re:Obvious Answer: by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 2, Funny
      I upgrade when I get the money.

      What do you think credit is for.
      --
      When will Windows be ready for the desktop?
    3. Re:Obvious Answer: by Soko · · Score: 4, Funny

      I upgrade when I get the money.

      And I get the money when my lovely bride (read: Domestic Finanacial Manager) decides to give it to me. (Hi, hon!)

      Soko

      --
      "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
    4. Re:Obvious Answer: by KilobyteKnight · · Score: 5, Funny
      Screwing over consumers with high interest. What do YOU think it's for?

      Buying lots of stuff I can't afford and blaming evil corporate entities for making me do it because I am a slave to the bling-bling.
      --
      When will Windows be ready for the desktop?
    5. Re:Obvious Answer: by sammykrupa · · Score: 1, Funny

      Me two! I wonder if we are related?

      --
      Dashboard Widgets
    6. Re:Obvious Answer: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nope. I'm married. I have to ask a totally different woman for permission now.

    7. Re:Obvious Answer: by stiber · · Score: 3, Funny
      Why in the hell that was modded as funny
      You're obviously not married.
    8. Re:Obvious Answer: by doombob · · Score: 2, Funny

      I guess you haven't introduced her to Sims/Sims2. The last round of upgrading, I got a P4 2.4GHz with an 800MHz FSB, 1GB of 3200 memory, 2 60GB HDs, SoundBlaster Audigy, and a GeForce FX 5600. All because it made Sims run faster!

  3. I upgrade after I call Dell tech support by taxman_10m · · Score: 3, Funny

    After speaking with... Kevin... and going in circles for an hour, I break down, and just upgrade whatever part it is that broke.

    1. Re:I upgrade after I call Dell tech support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You mean... like this?

  4. When I change my underwear! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny


    I change my computer everytime I change my underwear.

    So, as far as you know, I've either got really new hardware, or really dirty underwear.

  5. Easier Said than Done but, by Donoho · · Score: 2, Funny

    When urge and wallet/budget can reach mutual satisfaction, purchases should be made.

    --
    Michalangelo Progr
  6. Re:Obvious Answer II by spidereyes · · Score: 5, Funny

    When my wife says so or when I upgrade my wife.

    --

    I say we just grow up, be adults and die.
  7. NOW! by i_r_sensitive · · Score: 5, Funny
    Er, no NOW!

    And AGAIN!

    Wait... ...NOW!

    Is it Wednesday? Then my answer is NOW!

    You get the point...

    --
    "Talk minus action equals nothing" - Joey Shithead, D.O.A.
    "Talk minus action equals /." -
  8. Timely article. by SloWave · · Score: 3, Funny


    I've been trying to decide when to upgrade my 150Mhz box to it's full 233 Mhz capacity. I would have done it some time back but the little LED numbers on the front only go up to 99 and no-one would be able to tell the difference. I have upgraded the software on it over the years from 1.?? Linux to 2.4.+. That was easy.

  9. Re:Upgrade time: by funkdancer · · Score: 2, Funny

    And still being young is when you say, "But I'll get it anyway".

    --
    ISO certified == THX certified
  10. When it no longer attracts the females by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny


    Seriously, you upgrade to attract females, right?

  11. Step One by No_Weak_Heart · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was powerless over technology and my life had become unmanageable...

  12. budget student man~ by slothbait · · Score: 2, Funny

    I tend to upgrade when my total system RAM is less than the video RAM on the newest card.
    Strangely enough I also seem to triple my clock speed and double my RAM each upgrade.

    It is almost time too.
    /me eyes a motherboard with PCI express and a P4 3.0 HT processor on newegg

  13. 486's by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ill upgrade when my 486 sx starts on fire. 16 megs or ram rules!!

  14. Regularly! by CPNABEND · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have a great scam going on in my house. Upgrade my machine, use the parts to upgrade the wife's machine, use her parts to upgrade the kid's machine... And sell those parts to the neighbor for BEER :^)

    --
    My wife doesn't listen to me either...
  15. Re:Don't. by antiMStroll · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let me know when you're done squeezing eight-five 8x anti-aliased frames per second @ 1200x1024x32 on a P3 with that assembler version of Far Cry and I'm behind you all the way. :)

  16. Re:Average PC User by antiMStroll · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hell, I'll wipe the drive and reload your software for a low, low $1699 during my November special. An extra $100 will Windex the case.

  17. When other geeks stop laughinf at you! by beaststwo · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's time to upgrade when your stuff is so old that he "early adopters" no longer laugh at your rig, but are amazed that those antiques can be useful. This also helps resist supporting the Evil Empire!

  18. Re:Don't. by Tim+Browse · · Score: 3, Funny
    I hear David Braben is working on a sequal to Elite, I'm sure it will be very tighly coded. I think perhaps it will be a long time coming though - if, dare I say it ever.

    When did you hear that? Must have been a while ago, because two sequels have already been developed and released. Quite a long time ago, too.

    How many rods per hogshead does your car get?

  19. Re:Average PC User by toddestan · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think the average PC user upgrades when the computer gets unusable with spyware and viruses. Its easier to plunk down $2000 instead of wiping the computer clean. PC manufactures should thank spyware and virus writers. The average PC user would never upgrade again because all they are doing is web surfing.

    Judging by how fast I have seen clueless PC users can screw up a virgin Windows XP install, you're saying that the average PC user buys a new system every week or so?